lens choices for 60d

[Ed Kukla]

Putting together a 60d package. Looking for lens recommendations.

Considering the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 & the Canon 24-70mm f2.8

Are there any other mid-range lenses I should consider? Need high quality optics, solid build, and minimal f stop variation. Seems most lenses are f3.5-5.6. That is unacceptable. Much prefer a solid f2.8, hoping for a bit more range than the 24-70.

[Greg Fiske]

What are you going to be using it for?

[Spiros Zaharakis]

You can save a few buks if you get third party or older MF lenses.

For video use they may be even a better choise sinse they usually have smoother focusing rings (the MF ones).

If you want just one lens in the 24-70 range your other options are the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 or the ultra cheap but opticaly very nice Tamron 28-75 f2.8. (The only drawback of the Tamron is the short travel and light feeling focusing ring you will definately need a FF with it).

Otherwise you may get a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS or a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC,both have build in image stabilizers that are VERY usefull for video.
In that case you will also need a telephoto lens and IMHO the just announced Sigma 50-150 f2.8 OS that replaced the older non-stabilised version is a very good choice (price TBA)

In any case a couple old cheap MF primes are a must considering what they cost and they will be very usefull for those low light shots.

35mm f2 MIR lens, and 50mm f2 Helios lens are two of the lower cost choices but you can also look at some more expensive MF Nikkor, Takumar, Zuico or even Zeiss lenses.
You can also take a look at the Vivitar Series One zoom lenses. There is a 28-90 f2.8-3.8 a 28-105 f2.8-4, a 70-210 f3.5 and a 70-210 f2.8-4 available

Of course the Tokina 11-16 stays. It is a great lens. (an alternative solution at a lower cost is the MF Samyang 14 f2.8 prime)

[Steve Bleasdale]

Tokina sound as a pound and i would get the 17-55mm f2.8, i would have said get the 24-70mm if you where getting the full frame sensor 5d but the 17-55mm is magic to the crop sensor 60d, if ya need more zoom get the 70-200mm f4 or f2.8 if ya can afford it, cheaper one is 50-250mm. but just get the first two and move your feet, steve

[Chris Westerstrom]

My choices for the cropped sensors like 60/7d's:

Budget (in order of priority):
- 17-5 2.8 Tamron - amazing price and perfect for run'ngun
- 30 1.4 Sigma your all in one prime that is decently price and close to a normal lens for crop sensor (like a 50 prime for a 5d)
- 11-16 2.8 Tokina for wide shots

if you have more money, the 70-200 2.8 Canon is amazing, but I use this lens so rarely that I usually just rent it

I love the 24-70 Canon 2.8, but not so much on crop sensors, on the 5d it's magic

[Ed Kukla]

What would it matter what I'm using it for?



Do the Canon L lenses hold focus thru the zoom range? Proper backfocus? Or are they actually vari-focal lenses and not true zooms?

[Greg Fiske]

Because lenses are designed for a specific need. If you are doing wedding work you need low light lenses. If you are shooting interviews what would you need wide angle for? If you are doing an indi film, each brand has its own look that adds to the story telling of the look. If you are going to be hand holding you'll need IS.

[Geoff Addis]

My experience with the Sigma 24-70 on a Canon 5D Mk I is that it is slightly soft until around about f4 or f5,6, otherwise a good, but heavy lens. The Sigma 12-24 is my favourite lens and has produced some stunning images, but unfortunately this does not give you an f2.8 apeture. The Sigma 24-70 is not as good as the equivalent Canon L series lens on the 5D, but lens are ideally designed with the size of frame in mind so things could be a little different on the smaller frames used in the 60D.

By the way, does the 60D do 1920 x 1080 50i, I don't seem to be able to find any information other than it does 1920 x 1080p?

Geoff

[Steve Bleasdale]

Would Tokina 11-16 2.8, Canon 28mm 1.8 and a Canon 85mm 1.8, would this be a good choice, will i just move my feet without the zoom?? If get the 11-16 would i use the 28mm?